Interactive sports audio toy

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a portable public-address amplifier with power supply, controls and speaker(s), preferably housed in a box which is shaped in the form of a broadcasting station&#39;s call letters, cable network logo, or other sport-oriented shape. The amplifier has a microphone input for the user to provide commentary, as would be provided by a sportscaster. Preferably, more than one microphone input will be provided, and, optionally, reception for a wireless microphone or headset to allow for more distant or “hands free” use. Sound effects, such as crowd noises or “sound bites” or team or station signature music can be provided on interchangeable plug-in storage media and selected by a keyboard or other means.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims an invention which was disclosed in ProvisionalApplication No. 60/487,928, filed Jul. 17, 2003, entitled “INTERACTIVESPORTS AUDIO TOY.” The benefit under 35 USC § 19(e) of the United Statesprovisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementionedapplication is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to the field of audio toys. More particularly,the invention pertains to a portable amplifier with accessories forsimulating a sports broadcast.

2. Description of Related Art

Portable public address amplifiers are well known to the art. Someportable PA amplifiers have been provided with built-in sirens or horns.

Different parts that are used in different toy and sound ideas are outthere. Researching many toy and sound stores there are parts of eachinvolved in some form or the other. For the microphone and echo conceptmany Karaoke machines have this option on them. With the sound biteconcept there are a few toys that have sound bite discs that play songswhen inserted. (Ex. Hit Clips) Many toys have the options that PBP isusing but none have used the sports concept or the using of professionalstadium sounds to enhance the toys.

Many consumers would be interested in purchasing a PBP. This would startwith boys and girls that participate in or watch sports (Ages 5-15).Many young adult males such as Jr. High, High School and into college(Ages 15-20). Adults (parents & grandparents) would purchase this itemfor their children and grandchildren. The main group would be sportsfans of all ages that love their teams and sports. This would give themthe opportunity to bring themselves a little closer to the participationin a professional sporting event.

There are no current competitors for this type of product. Many karaoke,Disc Jbckey and sound bite toys available, but none in the context ofsimulation of a sporting event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The “Play By Play” interactive sports audio toy (PBP) brings aprofessional sports entertainment venue right to the users' ownactivity. You can be an announcer at your favorite stadium or hear yourname announced as it echoes at your game.

The invention comprises a portable public-address amplifier with powersupply, controls and speaker(s), preferably housed in a box which isshaped in the form of a broadcasting station's call letters, cablenetwork logo, or other sport-oriented shape. The amplifier has amicrophone input for the user to provide commentary, as would beprovided by a sportscaster. Preferably, more than one microphone inputwill be provided, and, optionally, reception for a wireless microphoneor headset to allow for more distant or “hands free” use. Sound effects,such as crowd noises or “sound bites” or team or station signature musiccan be provided on interchangeable plug-in storage media and selected bya keyboard or other means.

PBP will be a hit with anyone who ever dreamed of playing at aprofessional arena, announcing a game or just being a part of the funand excitement of a professional sporting event. PBP promotes activitywhile including participants of all ages, genders and abilities. ThePlay By Play vision allows anyone to bring the excitement andentertainment of a professional sports venue right to their own sportingevent. No matter who, what, where, or when.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the invention

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the invention

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As seen in FIG. 1, the Play-by-Play interactive sports toy is preferablybuilt into a box (1) that is shaped and angled to reproduce the graphicdesign of a sports station's call letters, cable network logo or sportsteam logo. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the logo of theESPN cable network is used as an example. This gives the impression thatthe sports station is actually covering the sporting event or the useris at a certain stadium or venue. Everything is based out of the box.

The mesh speakers (2) are driven by an amplifier (11) built into the box(1) as seen in FIG. 3. Preferably, the speakers (2) are clear and havestadium quality sound which allows them to be functional for inside oroutside use. A mixer or effects generator (15) and amp (11) in the boxallows for all functioning parts to come together to have a professionalaffect. The volume of the amplifer (11) is controlled by knob (16). Forpower PBP can be used inside with a plug-in option or it can be usedwith batteries for outside use.

A sport design soft grip retractable handle (not shown in the figures)on the top center of the box (1) allows for easy carrying and transport.The box (1) is preferably made of plastic with the call letters of thespecific sports station or sports team logo, in the colors of theselected sports station logo or team logo.

Casing size statistics are based on the logo used for the box design.(For example ESPN's box statistics would be 13½ inches long by 4 incheshigh and 4¾ inches from front to back). This gives a solid base andkeeps it in proportion with the logo design.

The amplifier (11) has provision for one or more microphones (3,12). Themicrophones give the user or users and the participants in the activitythe feeling that they are part of a professional sporting event at aselected stadium or venue. In FIG. 1, the right side has two microphoneinputs. The microphones plug in and are preferably regular hand heldmicrophones (3) with the station call letters or team logo. Optionally,a headset microphone (4) is provided with call letters or team logo, asseen on professional sportscasters on TV. This gives the option for one,two or three users of PBP.

As a further option, a receiver (13) with an antenna (14) for wirelessmicrophones (12) or headsets can be built into the box, allowing “handsfree” use. This adds the option for one player to imagine beingannounced at a professional sporting event even when they are the onlyone playing. Also on the headset there could be buttons that would havethe sound bites on them for the full stadium affect. This would allowthe user to talk and make sounds while they're playing.

The amplifier (11) preferably has provision for audio effects. The useror users can pretend to be announcers over the microphones with astraight voice sound for regular play by play or an echo voice soundlike in a large stadium or venue (for example, while announcing thestarting line-ups). Effects can be adjusted, for example by adjustingthe echo knob (7) (labeled 1-10) on the right top of the box. Next tothe echo knob is the volume knob (6) (labeled 1-10) on the top rightside of the box. This can be soft or loud volume depending if it is forinside or outside use.

To enhance the simulation of being at a sports venue or broadcastingover a radio, TV or cable station, selected “sound bites” can beprovided on logo sound bite recording media (5). The media can be disks,tapes, CD's, or read-only-memory (ROM) cartridges, or any otherconvenient way of storing short audio clips. These logo sound bite media(5) can be inserted into an appropriate socket or reader, for example onthe left side of the box. Each logo sound bite medium preferably has sixor four sound bites on each. The six sound bites are the most used soundbites from the professional sports stadiums or venues. Alternatively,one or more of the sounds will represent a generic version of soundbites from a certain sport—for example, crowd noises, cheers, motorsounds for car or motorcycle races, etc.

The logo sound bite discs can have various options. For example, usingthe six most used sound bites from a selected stadium, such as YankeeStadium if the participants like the Yankees, or the Staple Center ifthe participants like the Lakers. This gives the full affect of eachstadium. Alternatively, the system could be recorded using more of ageneric sound bite selection from a certain sport instead of a certainstadium. For example, the trumpet sound bit of “CHARGE” would be oneused for baseball. Or if using a basketball sound bite you could use“IRIS” from the Chicago Bulls. This keeps options for packaging one ormore discs with the logo box or package one logo disc and have othersavailable to purchase separately.

On the top of the box there are shown six selection buttons labeled onethrough six (8). Each button (8) represents a selected sound from thelogo sound bite disc (5). On the top near the sound bite buttons (8) isa labeled theme button (9). This is used for the sports station's soundbite theme or sports team theme, which can be built into the amplifier(11), independent of the sound bites on the recorded media (5).

The logo box can be shaped in different types of angles to enhancewhatever logo is decided to be used. This could be a logo of a sportsstation (Ex. ESPN), a logo of a professional team (Ex. Yankees) or alogo of a sport (Ex. Baseball).

The speakers should have stadium quality sound. The alternative tohaving the speakers in the box is to have two other speakers that can bedetached from the box connected by speaker wire and moved away from thebox for even better sound or surround sound. With the box being a logoof a sports station the extended speaker boxes could have selected teamlogos on them to show the two teams that are playing. These could beinterchangeable with velcro and add enjoyment to each game by showingthe teams that are playing against each other.

PBP could be used at organized sporting events, not just as a toy. Thiscould enhance their games or just be used for a PA sound system. (Ex.Little League Baseball or Small Fry Football games).

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of theinvention herein described are merely illustrative of the application ofthe principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of theillustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of theclaims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential tothe invention.

1. A portable audio box comprising: an amplifier having an input coupledto at least one microphone and at least one speaker driven by theamplifier; and a housing containing the at least one speaker andamplifier, wherein the housing is shaped in an identification indiciafor a business entity.
 2. The portable audio box of claim 1, wherein theidentification indicia is a logo.
 3. The portable audio box of claim 2,wherein the logo is for a sports team.
 4. The portable audio box ofclaim 2, wherein the logo is for a broadcasting network.
 5. The portableaudio box of claim 2, wherein the logo is for call letters of a radiostation.
 6. The portable audio box of claim 1, further comprising awireless receiver coupled to the amplifier having an antenna and awireless microphone for transmitting to the wireless receiver.
 7. Theportable audio box of claim 1, further comprising an effects generatorfor providing audio effects coupled to the amplifier.
 8. The portableaudio box of claim 7, wherein the audio effects alter a user's voice. 9.The portable audio box of claim 7, wherein the audio effects are soundbites from recorded media.
 10. The portable audio box of claim 9,wherein the sound bites are crowd noises.
 11. The portable audio box ofclaim 9, wherein the sound bits are signature music identified with abusiness entity.
 12. The portable audio box of claim 9, wherein therecorded media is disks, tapes, CD's, or read-only-memory (ROM).